L-connector for grooved structural elements

ABSTRACT

A plural-arm locking member has two arms that are substantially equal in width and that are angularly displaced from each other to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween. The side edges of one of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a grooved structural element; and the side edges of the second of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a second grooved structural element which is angularly displaced from the first grooved structural element by a dihedral angle which is equal to that subtended by the two arms of the pluralarm locking member. Inwardly-extending notches in one of the two arms are located adjacent the junction of the two arms; and those notches accommodate the confronting edges of the ribs of one of the grooved structural elements.

[4 Nov. 11, 1975 1 L-CONNECTOR FOR GROOVED STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS Lindell N. Edwards, St. Louis, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Universal Modular Structures, Inc.,

St. Louis, Mo.

22 Filed: Apr. 26, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 464,691

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 222,113, Jan. 31, 1972, Pat. No.

[75] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl 52/738; 52/753 D [51] Int. Cl. E04B 1/40 [58] Field of Search 52/738, 732-, 758 D, 712, 52/475, 753 C, 753 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,125,410 8/1938 West 52/475 X 2,348,937 5/1944 Stahl 52/475 X 2,804,952 9/1957 Nothdurft 52/475 X 3,071,215 l/1963 Gall 52/475 X 3,293,813 12/1966 Emmous et a1. 52/475 X 3,546,842 12/1970 Blum 52/475 Primary ExaminerPrice C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rogers, Ezell 8L Eilers 5 7] ABSTRACT A plural-arm locking member has two arms that are substantially equal in width and that are angularly displaced from each other to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween. The side edges of one of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a grooved structural element; and the side edges of the second of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a.

second grooved structural element which is angularly displaced from the first grooved structural element by a dihedral angle which is equal to that subtended by the two arms of the plural-arm locking member. Inwardly-extending notches in one of the two arms are located adjacent the junction of the two arms; and those notches accommodate the confronting edges of the ribs of one of the grooved structural elements.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent N0v. 11, 1975 3,918,232

L-CONNECTOR FOR GROOVED STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS This is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 222,113 for Grooved Structural Element which was filed on Jan. 31, 1972 and which was granted on July 2, 1974 as US. Pat. No. 3,821,868.

This invention relates to improvements in locking members. More particularly this invention relates to improvements in plural-arm locking members which can be used to help interconnect angularly-displaced grooved structural elements.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved plural-arm locking member which can be used to help interconnect angularly-displaced grooved structural elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A plural-arm locking member has two arms that are substantially equal in width and that are angularly displaced from each other. The side edges of one of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a grooved structural element; and the side edges of the second of those two arms are dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves that are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a second grooved structural element which is angularly displaced from the first grooved structural element by a dihedral angle which is equal to that subtended by the two arms of the plural-arm locking member. Inwardlyextending notches in one of the two arms accommodate the confronting edges of the ribs of one of the grooved structural elements.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper end of a structural element which can be positioned between the panels of a wall, ceiling, or floor made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the invention disclosed in said copending applica- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-3 the numeral 610 generally denotes a spacer which has a web 612 with flanges 614 and 616 at the opposite ends of that web. The flange 614 can abut the inner panel of a wall while the flange 616 abuts the outer panel of that wall; and hence that spacer can provide support for the portions of those panels which are intermediate the edges thereof. Ribs 618 are provided at one face of the spacer 610 to accommodate the vertically-directed portions of L-shaped braces, not shown, which can have the horizontally-directed portions thereof secured to a suitable base and cap, not shown, such as one of those disclosed in said co-pending application. Similarly, ribs 620 are provided at the opposite face of the spacer 610 to accommodate the vertically-directed portions of L- shaped braces, not shown, which can have the horizontally-directed portions thereof secured to a suitable base and cap, not shown. The inner panel of the wall can be secured to the flange 614 of the spacer 610 by cement, by selfitapping screws, or by other ways known to the art. Similarly, the outer panel of that wall can be secured to the flange 616 by cement, self-tapping screws, or by other ways known to the art. The exposed faces ofthe flanges 614 and 616 are shown as being roughened to enable cements, adhesives, mastics, or the like to adhere tightly to them. I

The flanges 614 and 616 of the spacer 610 will have the bottom edges thereof resting upon the portions of a base which define the upper edges of grooves in that base. The upper edges of those flanges will underlie the portions of a cap which define the lower edges of the grooves in that cap. If desired, the spacer 610 could be set in horizontal position within a wall; and, in that position, it would serve as a fire stop for that wall.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the numeral 622 generally denotes an H-shaped connector member which is similar to, but which differs individually from, I-I-shaped connector member of said co-pending application. The I-I-shaped connector member 622 has grooves 624, 626, 628 and 630 which are comparable to the grooves of .the said I-I-shaped connector member of said co-pending application. However, the H-shaped connector member 622 has ribs 632 at one side of the web thereof which confront each other and which are disposed between the grooves 624 and 628. Also, that I-I-shaped connector member has ribs 634 at the opposite side of that web which confront each other and which are disposed between the grooves 626 and 630. The space between the ribs 632 and that web can accommodate the vertically-extending portions of L- shaped braces which can have the horizontallyextending portions thereof secured to the webs of bases and caps; and one such L-shaped brace is denoted by the numeral 629 in FIG. 2. The horizontally-directed portion of that L-shaped brace is held by a screw and by the ribs of a base 631. The space between the ribs 634 and the web of the l-I-shaped connector member 622 can accommodate the vertically-extending portions of L-shaped braces which can have the horizontally-directed portions thereof secured to the webs of bases or caps; and one such L-shaped brace is denoted by the numeral 633 in FIG. 2. The horizontally. directed portion of that L-shaped brace is held by a screw and by the ribs of the base 631.

The spacer 610 of FIG. 1 is shown in'FIG. 2 as it appears when it is secured to a base, such as the base 631. An L-shaped brace 635 has the vertically-directed portion thereof disposed in the space between the web 612 and the ribs 618; and the horizontally-directed portion of that brace is secured to the base 631 by a screw and by the ribs of that base. An L-shaped brace 637 has the verticallydirected portion thereof disposed in the space between the web 612 and the ribs 620; and the horizontally-directed portion of that brace is secured to the base 631 by a screw and by the ribs of that base. A panel 639 has the lower edge thereof disposed within the inner groove of the base 631, and cement, an adhesive, screws, or the like can secure that panel to the flange 614 of the spacer 610. A panel 641 has the lower edge thereof disposed within the outer groove of the base 631, and cement, an adhesive, screws, or the like can secure that panel to the flange 616 of that spacer. The grooves 626 and 630 of the H-shaped connector member 622 and the confronting grooves of an adjacent H-shaped connector member will support the side edges of the panels 639 and 641; and the spacer 610 will help support the intermediate portions of those panels.

FIG. 3 shows, on a larger scale and in perspective, the

' L-shaped brace 629 of FIG. 2. The vertically-directed portion of the L-shap'ed brace has a countersunk opening therein and has oppositely-disposed notches therein. That countersunk opening will accommodate a screw, not shown, which seats in an opening, not shown, in the web of the Hshaped connector member 622. Those notches accommodate the ribs of the base 631. The horizontally-directed portion of the L-shaped brace 629 has a countersunk opening therein; and that countersunk opening will accommodate the screw which seats in an opening, not shown, in the web of the base 631.

The L-shaped brace 629, and similar L-shaped braces, will have the horizontally-directed portions thereof threaded into the space between one end of the web of the base 631 and the ribs of that base. Thereafter, those L-shaped braces will be slid along the length of that base until they are in the desired positions. At such time, the appropriate H-shaped connector members, the appropriate spacers, or appropriate grooved structural elements will have the ribs thereof telescoped downwardly over the vertically-directed portions of those L-shaped braces. The interactions of the various ribs, webs and screws will securely and solidly lock those L-shaped braces, H-shaped connector members, spacers, and grooved structural elements in position.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described several different embodiments of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

l. A plural-arm locking member having two arms that are substantially equal in width and that are angularly displaced from each other to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween, the side edges of one of said arms of said plural-arm locking member being dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves which are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a grooved structural element, the side edges of a second arm of said plural-arm locking member being dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves which are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a second grooved structural element which is angularly displaced from the first said grooved structural element to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween that is equal to said dihedral angle which is subtended by said arms of said plural-arm locking member, and inwardlyextending notches in said side edges of said one arm of said plural-arm locking member adjacent the junction of said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member, one of said notches having the inner end thereof spaced inwardly of the adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said pluralarm locking member, whereby both of said adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking members are spaced outwardly of said inner end of said one of said notches, the other of said notches having the inner end thereof spaced inwardly of the other adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member, whereby both of said other adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member are spaced outwardly of said inner end of said other of said notches, said notches being dimensioned to accommodate the confronting edges of said ribs of said second grooved structural element, the faces of said side edges of said one arm of said pluralarm locking member confronting and engaging portions of said wall or of said adjacent ribs of said first said grooved structural element whenever said pluralarm locking member is in locking position, the faces of said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member confronting and engaging portions of said wall or of said adjacent ribs of said second grooved structural element whenever said plural-arm locking member is in said locking position, whereby said side edges of said one arm and said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member can mechanically and directly coact with said walls and said adjacent ribs of said first said and said second grooved structural elements to limit tilting of said first said and said second grooved structural elements relative to each other.

2. A plural-arm locking member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member have the same thicknesses, wherein said notches in said one arm of said plural-arm locking member are in register with each other, and wherein each of said notches in said one arm of said plural-arm locking member is deep enough to accommodate either of said confronting edges of said ribs of said second grooved structural element, whereby said plural-arm locking member is usable in either of two positions that are displaced from each other about an axis which passes through said one arm of said plural-arm locking member and which is normal to said junction of said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member. 

1. A plural-arm locking member having two arms that are substantially equal in width and that are angularly displaced from each other to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween, the side edges of one of said arms of said plural-arm locking member being dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves which are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a grooved structural element, the side edges of a second arm of said plural-arm locking member being dimensioned to simultaneously extend into and be confined by spaced-apart grooves which are defined by a wall and the adjacent ribs of a second grooved structural element which is angularly displaced from the first said grooved structural element to subtend a dihedral angle therebetween that is equal to said dihedral angle which is subtended by said arms of said plural-arm locking member, and inwardly-extending notches in said side edges of said one arm of said plural-arm locking member adjacent the junction of said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member, one of said notches having the inner end thereof spaced inwardly of the adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member, whereby both of said adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking members are spaced outwardly of said inner end of said one of said notches, the other of said notches having the inner end thereof spaced inwardly of the other adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member, whereby both of said other adjacent side edges of both said one and said second arms of said pluralarm locking member are spaced outwardly of said inner end of said other of said notches, said notches being dimensioned to accommodate the confronting edges of said ribs of said second grooved structural element, the faces of said side edges of said one arm of said plural-arm locking member confronting and engaging portions of said wall or of said adjacent ribs of said first said grooved structural element whenever said plural-arm locking member is in locking position, the faces of said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member confronting and engaging portions of said wall or of said adjacent ribs of said second grooved structural element whenever said plural-arm locking member is in said locking position, whereby said side edges of said one arm and said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member can mechanically and directly coact with said walls and said adjacent ribs of said first said and said second grooved structural elements to limit tilting of said first said and said second grooved structural elements relative to each other.
 2. A plural-arm locking member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said side edges of said second arm of said plural-arm locking member have the same thicknesses, wherein said notches in said one arm of said plural-arm locking member are in register with each other, and wherein each of said notches in said one arm of said plural-arm locking member is deep enough to accommodate either of said confronting edges of said ribs of said second grooved structural element, whereby said plural-arm locking member is usable in either of two positions that are displaced 180* from each other about an axis which passes through said one arm of said plural-arm locking member and which is normal to said junction of said one and said second arms of said plural-arm locking member. 